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In reply to the discussion: Irked by abortion bill, Va. senator adds rectal exams for men [View all]PotatoChip
(3,186 posts)Biggest thing first:
Ultrasounds are NOT required unilaterally for abortions in the UK. The reason(s) that they may be done are either A)to determine the gestation date (if it's in question), B) if a 'medical' as (opposed to 'surgical') abortion is to be performed -OR- C) to rule out Ectopic pregnancies. Keep in mind that most US abortions (other then the day-after-pill) are 'surgical'.
BTW, these things are probably already being done here in the US anyway (for the very same reasons medically speaking) since most women see their doctors upon learning of their pregnancies; whether or not they choose to abort. That, or the abortion clinic they visit feels these tests are necessary.
What makes the (legislated) ultrasound requirement different here is that A)it's being mandated for medically unnecessary reasons; a woman's doctor or abortion clinic would have already ordered one otherwise. B) Many of these mandates require vaginal probes; very intrusive and NOT normal ultrasound procedure. C) They are 'forcing' women to view them. NONE of this is the case in the UK.
Second, you made a point that really ought to be clarified regarding the cost. You said:
Whereas in Britain, where the public pays for medicine, and it's cheaper, the risk outweighs the cost. It's a different environment.
Also in Britain, it's the medical authorities, not the politicians who decided to require sonograms. Apparently, they feel that preventing the rare risk is worth the added public expenditure. Whereas in the US, our legislators feel that making women pay more, despite what doctors deem necessary, will discourage women from seeking abortions, and they are right.
I'm not disagreeing w/the majority of what you said here. In fact, you may well be aware of, and agree w/this too-- However IMHO it's very important to note that abortions (with or without ultrasounds) are FAR less expensive for the citizens of Britain than having a woman carry an unplanned pregnancy to full term. True for us too actually, despite our very different health care system (and the cost of unnecessary ultrasounds passed on to women).
Here is some info on abortions in the UK: Added emphasis is mine.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Abortion/Pages/How-is-it-performed.aspx
The doctor or nurse will take your medical history to make sure that the type of abortion you are offered is suitable for you. You will be given a blood test to check your blood group and to see whether you are anaemic. You should also be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and may be given antibiotics to stop an infection from occurring after the abortion.
There are also a number of things that you may require before having an abortion. These include:
an ultrasound scan (if there is any doubt about how many weeks pregnant you are)
a vaginal examination
a cervical smear test (if appropriate)
information and advice about which method of contraception you should use after the abortion
Finally, before having the abortion, you will be given a consent form to sign.